Stuart Broad cautions ECB against naming Ben Stokes as ODI captain

Former England cricketer Stuart Broad has urged the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to reconsider appointing all-rounder Ben Stokes as the captain of the One Day International (ODI) team, calling it a decision made in desperation.

The debate over England’s white-ball leadership emerged following Jos Buttler’s resignation as captain after a disastrous campaign in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The defending champions endured a humiliating tournament, failing to win a single match and suffering defeats at the hands of Australia, South Africa, and Afghanistan.

Following England’s group-stage exit, ECB Managing Director Rob Key identified Stokes as a potential candidate for the leadership role. “Ben Stokes is one of the best captains I’ve ever seen, so it would be stupid not to look at him.

It’s just the knock-on effect of what that means,” Key stated, acknowledging the complexities of the decision.

However, Broad has strongly opposed this idea, emphasizing the strain it would place on Stokes’ workload.

“I would be lost for words if England appointed him,” Broad remarked, stressing the all-rounder’s ongoing fitness challenges.

The former pacer highlighted Stokes’ recent decision to skip the Indian Premier League (IPL) to focus on Test cricket and manage his body for future assignments. “How many overs has Stokes successfully bowled in the last three years while battling knee injuries?

Not many. And now you’re going to add the workload of bowling eight to ten overs per match in the 50-over format? The mathematics of that make no sense,” Broad asserted.

England’s cricketing calendar remains packed, with a five-match Test series against India and the Ashes series scheduled later in the year.

 Broad believes that appointing Stokes as ODI captain would only add unnecessary physical strain and jeopardize his long-term availability for the team’s major Test commitments.

As the ECB deliberates over the next white-ball leader, the debate continues over whether Stokes is the right choice or if England should seek a fresh candidate to revitalize their struggling ODI side.